The traditional occupations of Uzbeks were farming, crafts and trade. In artisan families, women helped their husbands by carrying out individual tasks and preparing semi-finished products. Ceramics have always occupied a special place among the art crafts of the people. Dishes, lyagan plates, vases, teapots and pots made by Uzbek potters varied in shape, but each product was practical in use.

Lyagan plates are the national Uzbek tableware. They are usually used during festive occasions, but sometimes also on weekdays when the whole family gathers. A lyagan plate is not deep, as it is intended for dishes with no or only a small amount of liquid. In the East, a lyagan is a symbol of hospitality.

The plate from the museum’s collection is round with its walls diverging and slightly curving at the upper edge. The lyagan plate is covered with white glaze to protect the earthenware from penetration of liquids and dirt. The ceramic piece features traditional decorative patterns. Such complex compositions are made with special tools on raw wares. Geometric abstract images sometimes resemble human and animal figures. This is a coded picture of the world.

The center of the museum’s lyagan plate is decorated with a blue floral rosette in a black mesh with a red middle. The rosette is highlighted by green and white circular stripes. The inner surface is covered with a figured mesh. The vegetal pattern is a symbol of earthly life, gratitude for the beauty and generosity of nature.

Compositionally, the design was built around the circle. It represents infinity and the cyclical nature of life as well as homage to the sun god. The upper edge of the plate was painted in blue. Other colors used in the painting are green, red, brown, yellow and orange. They have their own symbolic meaning.

The museum piece was handmade in 2019 in Uzbekistan. The centers of pottery art are Gijduvan, Tashkent, Shahrisabz, Khorezm, Samarkand, as well as Rishtan, where this object was created.